Snow has arrived in abundance in the high country of southwest Oregon, as seen in this photograph taken from Mount Ashland by Haleigh Martin of KS Wild and posted Tuesday to the organization's social media page. Mount McLoughlin, located about 30 miles northeast of Medford, can be seen at left in the background. The mountain is a dormant volcano that rises to 9,493 feet elevation.

With lots of snow in the past week falling in the mountains, ski areas in the region are opening, resort operators are celebrating and outdoor enthusiasts are abuzz.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park opened Wednesday with 30 inches of snow on the summit and 12 of 38 trails open, while Mt. Ashland Ski Area is set to open Thursday with 34 inches of snow mid-mountain as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, including 14 inches that fell in the previous 24 hours.

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area, which opened 60 years ago Thursday, is urging skiers to ski safely and suggests that people read a new mountain safety guide published by the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association. The Mt. Shasta Ski Park announced it is expecting a busy weekend because Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Meanwhile, a foot of powder was already on the ground over the weekend in the Fish Lake area, according to a Sunday post by Fish Lake Resort, which noted that snowshoes were available for rent for $15. Sno-park passes are available at the lodge. At the nearby Lake of the Woods area, the U.S. Forest Service has stationed a trail-groomer machine, according to the Southern Oregon Nordic Club.

Crater Lake National Park invites people to visit and play in the snow, but urges safe driving and advises people to avoid the edge of the rim and steep areas where snow cornices can collapse. Read park advisories.

Forest Service waives day-use fees for King holiday

The U.S. Forest Service will waive most fees for day-use sites on national forests on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Forest Service recognizes the King holiday as a National Day of Service and encourages Americans to “engage in volunteer service and enjoy the natural beauty of their public lands.”

The fee waiver includes Forest Service picnic areas, trailheads and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals and day-use fee sites operated by concessionaires still apply.

Volunteers sought for trash clean-up along forest road

Rogue Riverkeeper is inviting volunteers to help clean up trash starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, along Savage Creek Road near the city of Rogue River.

The road, which winds up into federal forest land from the Rogue River Highway, is near the Jackson-Josephine county line. Over the years, it’s been used as a place for people to illegally dump trash.

Volunteers should meet at the top of the road near the shooting area, unless there’s snow or other adverse weather. Dress warm and bring gloves.

Josephine County will provide a large trash bin to fill. Work might continue the next day.

For information, contact Rogue Riverkeeper at 541-488-9831 or info@rogueriverkeeper.org.

Learn about starting a neighborhood climate club

The Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center is offering an online class 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, about starting a neighborhood climate club. Cost is $15

The course will cover a club formed in 2019 on Allison Street in Ashland, where a handful of neighbors have been coming up with ways to make an impact while having fun. Topics taken up by the group have included food waste, water conservation, home electrification and more.

Since that initial group formed, two more small clubs have started, and a pilot curriculum has been developed on climate change.

“We’d like to share how we came together, how we stayed together and our plans for the future,” according to a class announcement.

Presenters include Sonya Daw, a writer-editor for the National Park Service; Melody Noraas, a retired science and special education teacher and Jim Hartman, a retired high school science teacher.

Register here. Reach the Extension Service at 541-776-7371.

Tuesday hikes for people 55-plus start Jan. 30

Medford Parks and Recreation has scheduled hikes at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 30 through May 7 for people 55 and older. Cost is $12 for residents and $18 for non-residents. Meet at Rogue X, 901 Rossanley Drive, Medford, and travel by van to trails. Registration is required.

Hikes include Lower Table Rock, Jan. 30; Sterling Mine Trail, Feb. 13; Rogue River Preserve, Feb. 20; and Upper Table Rock, Feb. 27. Hikes in March go to Cathedral Hills on March 5; Layton Ditch on March 12; Jacksonville Railway Trail on March 19; and Enchanted Forest-Felton Memorial on March 26.

Other hikes are East Applegate Ridge, April 2; Cantrall Creek, April 9; Beekman House to Jacksonville Creek Loop, April 16; Canyon Vista to Canyon Falls Loop, April 23; Twin Peaks, April 30; and Grouse Gap via Pacific Coast Trail, May 7.

Marc Mason, health coach, leads the hikes. Register at Santo Community Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave., or online. For more information, call 541-774-2400.

Want free publicity about your upcoming outdoors-related outing, hike or event? Send us brief details about what, when and where, along with contact information, a phone number and any other important information so that we can tell others about your event in our weekly column, Outdoor Adventures.

Send to Shaun Hall, outdoors reporter, at shall@rv-times.com or 2 East Main St., Suite 200, Medford, OR 97501. Reach Hall at 458-225-7179.